A lollipop man has died after he was hit by a car while escorting a parent across the road to pick their child up from school.

Raymond Elsmore, 82, who had worked for more than 10 years helping children at Queens Inclosure Primary School, Waterlooville, Hampshire, suffered serious injuries in the accident at 3.05pm on Wednesday.

Mr Elsmore, who was wearing his uniform and carrying his lollipop, was hit by the car on Tempest Avenue.

He suffered head injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital where he later died, according to Hampshire Police.

It is understood that, as leaving time from the school is 3.20pm, no child witnessed the accident.

However, some youngsters did see him lying in the road as the air ambulance landed to take him to hospital.

The 21-year-old female driver of the car, from Waterlooville, was arrested at the scene and later released on bail.

Flowers have been left at the scene out of respect for Mr Elsmore, who lived locally.

One note on a bunch of flowers said: "We will miss your smiley face in the mornings. RIP, sleep well. Our thoughts are with your family."

Local Chris Bray told the Portsmouth News the pensioner would regularly stop to chat to his son.

"You couldn’t help but speak to him because he was such a nice, sweet man," he said.

"He would wave to all the cars that went by. He will be terribly missed."

A statement released by Queens Inclosure Primary School said: "Following the tragic incident yesterday, we are all completely devastated by the death of our lollipop man, Mr Ray Elsmore.

"He was a valued member of our school community for over 13 years and had helped hundreds of our children cross the road safely in all weathers.

"Mr Elsmore was well loved by many children and their families and will be very sadly missed.

"Our thoughts and prayers go to his relatives and friends at this terrible time."